On a three-month basis, sales dropped 1.4%, marking what the ONS called “the third consecutive decrease for the underlying 3 month on 3 month pattern.” On a month-to-month basis, sales dropped more than forecast, slipping 1.8%, compared to an expected 0.2% fall.

“Today’s retail sales figures show a decline on the month and on the three months to March, which coincides with quarter 1 in 2017. This is the first time we’ve seen a quarterly decline since 2013, and it seems to be a consequence of price increases across a whole range of sectors,” Kate Davies, a senior statistician at the ONS said.

Here is the ONS’ chart showing the data as part of the longer term trend: